1828 – The lighthouses at Key West, Sand Key, and the Dry Tortugas were low on oil and could make only “a very indifferent light.” It was probable they would soon run out of fuel and go dark.
1867 – The team that had recently completed the telegraph cable linking Cuba to Key West to the mainland was badly affected by yellow fever. The only operator was sick, as were almost all the other telegraph officials.
1913 – The Key West Board of Trade planned to open a bureau in Jacksonville that would be manned by a Key Wester. The branch office would display cigars and other goods unique to the island city, as well post the daily weather report. It would be open through the tourist season.
1948 – Sister Louis Gabriel died at the Convent of Mary Immaculate where she had served since 1897. In 1922, at the dedication of the Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes erected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her religious vows, Sister Gabriel prayed that as long as the Grotto stood, Key West would be protected from ravages of a major hurricane.
1963 – Long Key residents voted to incorporate a portion of the island as a municipality, approved naming the new city “Layton,” and selected Del Layton to serve as mayor.
2004 – Category 5 Hurricane Ivan tracked westward of the Florida Keys and spared the islands. Tourism interests estimated the storm and evacuation caused losses of $16 to $20 million, and when combined with Hurricanes Charley and Frances, which also never struck, revenue shortfalls for the Keys totaled $40 to $50 million.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Honoring the 50th anniversary of Sister Louis Gabriel’s vows in the parlor of the Convent of Mary Immaculate, 1947. Back row, from left: Angela Caro, Mary Graham, Carrie Roberts, Camile Lumley, and Eva Newhouse. Front, from left: Mrs. Delaney, Sister Louis Gabriel, Sister Isabella (Sweeney) and Glorianna Bailey. Gift of Angela Caro. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.